ActivTrades Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
ActivTrades is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2001. It holds a FCA licence under number 434413.
The basics
ActivTrades was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 1,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 1,000+ |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MT4, MT5 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is ActivTrades safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 434413 ✓ | ActivTrades Corp |
| SCB | SIA-F199 ✓ | ActivTrades Ltd |
| BACEN | N/A ✓ | ActivTrades Corp (Brazil) |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
ActivTrades spreads
These are the typical spreads on ActivTrades's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.5 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.8 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.6 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 20c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
ActivTrades's EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
ActivTrades withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. ActivTrades does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
ActivTrades minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which ActivTrades entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActivTrades Corp | FCA 434413 | None | 1:30 |
| ActivTrades Ltd | SCB SIA-F199 | None | 1:400 |
| ActivTrades Corp (Brazil) | BACEN N/A | None | 1:30 |
ActivTrades vs eToro
| ActivTrades | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 434413 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | None | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.5 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 1,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. ActivTrades suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 434413 — ActivTrades Corp |
| SCB | SIA-F199 — ActivTrades Ltd |
| BACEN | N/A — ActivTrades Corp (Brazil) |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:400, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — ActivTrades Corp
- No minimum deposit
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- No inactivity fee
- Tight EUR/USD spread from 0.5 pips
- Regulated in 3 jurisdictions
What does not work
- No copy trading
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
ActivTrades is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 434413 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to ActivTrades
If ActivTrades does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is ActivTrades safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. ActivTrades holds FCA licence 434413, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the ActivTrades minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is None. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the ActivTrades EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on ActivTrades standard accounts is typically 0.5 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does ActivTrades take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does ActivTrades charge withdrawal fees?
None. ActivTrades does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does ActivTrades have MetaTrader?
Yes. ActivTrades supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.